When the Public Employees for Community Concerns hosted the first annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Luncheon 17 years ago, it featured local speakers and served about 200 attendees. Alma Brown, the luncheon’s chair, reported, “When we first started coordinating the luncheon, we wanted to have something on that date to commemorate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and have something that could bring the community together in fellowship, and maybe learn a little more about his life.” Attesting to the tremendous growth of this event, recent luncheons have hosted at least 2,000 people and featured nationally known speakers, and this year is no different.

On Monday, January 19th, the 17th annual luncheon at the Peoria Civic Center will feature keynote speaker Bill Cosby, King family friend. “When looking for speakers,” Brown said, “we try to find someone who had a connection with the family or someone who can share their insights of Dr. King and maybe how Dr. King touched their life, and I think Bill Cosby can speak to each one of those issues very well.”

Immediately following the luncheon, Cosby will also hold a parents’ forum for 150 local moms and dads. He will speak about his most recent book, Come on People: On the Path from Victims to Victors, and answer parents’ questions about his insights into parenthood and other related topics.

The luncheon will again be followed by the 23rd annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom March, put on by the King Holiday Committee of Peoria. A CityLink-sponsored Freedom Trolley will provide transportation from the Civic Center to Bradley University’s Garrett Center, where the march will begin at 2pm. After walking through the streets of Peoria, the march will end at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, where a commemorative service and awards ceremony will take place.

For more information on the luncheon, or to purchase tickets, contact Alma Brown at 494-8554. Tickets are $40 each or $400 for a table of 10. a&s